November 30, 2016

In this week’s Torah portion, the story of Isaac unfolds, and in contrast to our other patriarchs, Abraham (Isaac’s father) and Jacob (Isaac’s son), Isaac’s life seems somewhat unassuming. Unlike his father and his son, Isaac lives in one place his entire life; he never changes his name; and he has only one wife. As biblical characters go, Isaac is steady and stable throughout his years.

In many ways, Isaac represents an ideal which each of us strives to become: a person with a place to call home; the ability to find contentment in who we are without feeling the need to reinvent ourselves; and the ability to remain faithful and loyal to one person. In a world of ever changing dimensions, having a sense of grounding in our home, our identities and our relationships is something that should never be taken for granted.